The analgesic efficacy of pregabalin versus placebo for septorhinoplasty: A meta-analysis

The analgesic efficacy of pregabalin supplementation for septorhinoplasty remains elusive. This meta-analysis was conducted to compare pregabalin supplementation with placebo for the postoperative pain control of septorhinoplasty.

We systematically searched several databases including PubMed, EMbase, Web of Science, EBSCO and Cochrane library databases, and included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the effect of pregabalin supplementation versus placebo for pain control after septorhinoplasty. This meta-analysis was conducted by fixed or random-effect model based on the heterogeneity.

Seven RCTs were included in this meta-analysis. In comparison with control group for septorhinoplasty, pregabalin supplementation was associated with significantly decreased pain scores at 1 h (standard mean difference [SMD] = -1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI] = -2.43 to -0.47; P = .004), pain scores at 2 hours (SMD = -1.01; 95% CI = -1.83 to -0.20; P = .02), pain scores at 6 hours (SMD = -1.00; 95% CI = -1.47 to -0.54; P < .0001), number of rescue analgesics (odd ratio [OR] = 0.18; 95% CI = 0.08-0.39; P < .0001) and analgesic consumption (SMD = -2.78; 95% CI = -5.05 to -0.51; P = .02), but unraveled no obvious impact on the incidence of nausea and vomiting (OR = 0.55; 95% CI = 0.24-1.27; P = .16).

Pregabalin supplementation was effective to improve pain relief after septorhinoplasty.